GOP Calls Chances 'Good' To Win Illinois Senate Seat In 2010

Illinois is dominated by Democrats, but national Republicans see a chance to take away Sen. Roland Burris' seat because disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich tainted the appointment.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who heads the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said Monday the GOP's chances were "good" to win the seat in next year's election if they get the right candidate.

"I think there will be a popular backlash against the corruption they've seen coming out of the Blagojevich machine and everybody associated with him," Cornyn told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.

Blagojevich, who was impeached and removed from office in January after his arrest on federal corruption charges, caused a firestorm when he appointed Burris to President Barack Obama's old Senate seat while he was still governor.

Burris later added to the controversy by admitting he had attempted, unsuccessfully, to raise money for Blagojevich, who federal officials claim tried to sell the appointment in exchange for a campaign contribution or a lucrative job.

The Sangamon County state's attorney is reviewing Burris' testimony before the Illinois House committee that impeached Blagojevich to determine if perjury charges are warranted.

While Burris has denied wrongdoing, Democrats in Illinois and Washington have called on him to step down, although they now seem resigned to his staying put.

Any uncertainty about Burris' ability to hold the seat was created, in part, by the Democrats, said Delmarie Cobb, a spokeswoman for Burris.

"The sad part about it is that the Democrats have played right into the Republicans' hands by not supporting Roland Burris as the senator," Cobb said.

Cornyn said Burris can't separate himself from the Blagojevich scandal.

But to claim Burris' seat, Republicans need the "right candidate," Cornyn said. Possibilities include U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk of Chicago's northern suburbs and U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam of the western suburbs, he said.

Burris has not said whether he will seek the seat in 2010, Cobb said.

Comments

[Bramble8]

LOL... Just like they have a shot in NY.

[stav506]

Umm, did they forget they live in a blue state? And not just any blue state but the one that the current Presidant calls home?

No wonder they can't govern well, they have no common sense!

[Robert Blais]

The republicans have about as much chance to get elected as George W. Bush has of winning on "Are you smarter than a 5th Grader?" or as much of a chance as Mr Burris has of winning the primary.

[eyepatch]

the Republicans have no shot in 2010!!!!
a strong challenger will un-seat Roland Burris
but that person will not be a republican!

Burris will not make it out of the primary
and the republican opponent will get
thoroughly stomped! Voters in this
state will want to further empower the
President and not dilute his base with
a republican you can bet on that!!!!

[Lakeview Greg]

Let's see, the last Republican Senate candidate was Alan Keyes. That worked out well for pretty much everyone except the Republicans. Maybe they could finally let Jim Oberweis be the candidate. He's just slightly right of Rush Limbaugh. Or there is Kirk. But is he the "right" kind of Republican?

Maybe the Illinois Republicans should see if Fred Thompson wants to relocate.

[ladydragon]

Burris is a scoundrel, but that does not translate into a win for republicans. this time next year folks will still be picking up the pieces of their lives or what's left after the Bush administration. They will be in no mood for Republicans and their crap.

[eyepatch]

LOL yep...I agree completely

not to mention why would the state that
brought the current President to office
(a democrat) want to dilute that Presidents
power with a republican that will only undermine
his power???

This is wishful thinking from the GOP in Ilinois
a party deader than it's national party

[labman57]

Keep a good thought...

[mariegachelin]

A GOP win will mean redemption for Illinois. For as long as the voters continue to vote for Democrats, nothing will change. It will be corruption as usual. I’m sure if the Republican Party presents the people of Illinois with candidates capable of representing the people’s needs, the Republican Party will win. In a place saturated by Democrats, many of whom are totally self-centered, the democratic move for voters to make is to start electing Republicans. Make changes.

[eyepatch]

speaking of corruption.....how soon they forget George Ryan!!!!

[RickyPoo]

This story is hilarious.

It quotes nothing but Republicans with them saying goofiest stuff with NO empirical evidence whatsoever to back it up.

According to the quotes, by 2010, no one will care that Repubs wrecked the economy, oppose universal health care, think of tax policy as welfare for the rich, love torturing innocent foreign nationals, and how insane it is to pay for college tuition.

No, they'll just be thinking, "That darn Blago!" LOL!

Out of which part of the nether regions of you-know-where did Cornyn and Co. develop this analysis? It's not like they have any issues or data to back it up.

Looks like they're in for another pasting in '10....